Cusillista to be Melbourne's First Woman Bishop

The Diocesan Council (of Melbourne Diocese) yesterday evening approved the nomination by the Archbishop for his new Assistant Bishop - and it is fellow Cursillista, frequent SA and Vicar of Dandenong Barbara Darling. 

Barbara's consecration will be at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne on Saturday 31 May 2008 at 11 am
It would be fantastic if Cursillo could be well represented.

Please keep Barbara and Archbishop Phillip in your prayers as they both prepare for this occasion and Barbara prepares for her new, challenging and exciting role. 

Here is the extract from the Archbishop's letter.....

 Assistant Bishop

It is with much pleasure that I announce that the Revd Canon Barbara Darling has been appointed as the next Assistant Bishop for the Diocese of Melbourne.  Her initial role will be that of Bishop for Diocesan Ministries. She will bring a wealth of experience from her years of ministry, both lay and clerical.  Barbara is currently the Vicar of St James’ Dandenong; she is an Examining Chaplain, the Senior Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral and currently the chair of the Dean Search Committee.  She has been the Chairperson of the Ordained Women’s Group, a lecturer at Ridley Melbourne, a member of Archbishop in Council, a representative to the General Synod and a member of the Victorian Council of Christian Education.  I look forward to her Consecration at 11.00 am on Saturday 31 May and to being able to warmly welcome her to the Episcopate team of the Diocese of Melbourne.  I am further delighted to recognise the historic nature of the appointment of this, the first woman bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne and the second in Australia.